Now that Netflix is offering mobile games on Android, one question remains: how will iOS players participate when Apple’s policies prohibit all-in-one gaming services? Apparently, the hard way.
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Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman (with assistance from developer Steve Moser) claimed to have seen code indicating Netflix would release all of its games “individually” on iOS, via the App Store, in his “Power On” newsletter.
Gurman added that not all of them will be downloadable and playable within the app.
The main Netflix app would still provide access to the game catalog, but tapping a game would launch a separate app. That is how it currently works with Android, but Netflix has the option of incorporating games into its Android app.
It would have no choice but to make games available separately on iOS. Apple requires that every game on the App Store be individually screened, even if it is only accessible via the cloud.
Given Apple’s approach, this was probably inevitable, but it still implies that Netflix will have to make some concessions if it wants to bring mobile games to iOS. As Gurman explained, this also highlights a growing rivalry between Apple and Netflix.
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They compete on an increasing number of fronts, from gaming to streaming video services, but neither can afford to alienate the other. There is the possibility of a significant conflict, especially if Apple is forced to make additional concessions on App Store rules.